Saturday, November 28, 2009

  Nikki's secret Holiday Blog!!

so if you read my blog last year, you would know I was one of the selected ladies to participate in the Thrifty Under $50 sponsored by youcanmakethis.com

I made a secret blog that you had to email me to get the address, but lately, I have had tons of requests to see it since we are so close to the holidays that I thought I would just post it here!!

So if you are looking for cheap hand made gifts that dont look cheap and hand made (lol!!) check it out here:



http://nikkisthriftyunderfifty.blogspot.com/

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Heaven...



Hey Everyone! I know it has been a while, and I want to try to keep this blog up as much as I can, but a lot of changes have been going on in my life the last few months, so I am trying to adjust!

But I got this beautiful email from my sister today, so I thought I would share it with you all!!
Have a blessed day :)
****I know its long, but WELL worth the read!!!****
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17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'

Brian's Essay:
The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at ' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. '-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

  {Awesome Day......}

Today was AWESOME....I went to church this morning and guess who our guest for the day was??



RICARDO SANCHEZ!!

That's right, the man that wrote that beautiful song, Moving Forward. (I featured it here a few days ago)

I felt like the Spirit was totally moving today, and it was amazing to see him perform it live, as well as lead our praise and worship time this morning!

Thank you Ricardo for joining us!!
(side note...I was so mad I didn't get to go get a photo with him, but I was volunteering after service to pass out booklets for our church wide bible study! But he was standing right across from me! lol)

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  {Recipe of the Day: Easy, kid friendly, pizza!}



this pizza is so easy, your kids can even help and its all done in UNDER 30 minutes! No Kidding!!

Here is what you will need:
2pkg. popcan type biscuits
1 1/2C. prepared pasta sauce
2C. grated cheese
1/2pkg. sliced pepperoni (or any type of toppings you would like)

Here is how to make it:
1. pre heat your oven according to the brand of biscuits you purchased

2. place parchment paper or a silpat onto a baking sheet and spray lightly with PAM type spray. then open biscuits and place on sheet, sides touching.

3. push biscuits down so they start to form a crust. Don't worry if there are gaps between them, they will fill in as you cook the pizza.

4. spread top with pasta sauce, then sprinkle on cheese, pepperoni, and any other toppings you would like.

5. bake according to the biscuit's that you purchased PLUS 5 minutes to make sure they are cooked through....make sure to keep an eye on them because ovens vary! :)

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Sunday, September 6, 2009

  {Menu Planning: Tips}


Hey Everyone! Long time, no blog! But I have so many blogs planned, I hope I don't have a very long pause!

Anyway, I wanted to give you all a post today about something I get asked about ALL THE TIME....Menu Planning!

I think sometimes we are at a loss with menu planning and just don't know where to start. We all know we should do it, but we just don't! So I wanted to put all of your questions together that you have sent me and tell you what I do! :)

Q: How long does it take you to plan a menu?
A: Well, I plan 3 meals a day for 4 people, so it takes me about an hour and a half to plan a menu and get a shopping list together.

Q: How do you decide what you will eat?
A: First, I search through all the local store ads and write down all the good deals, so I know to make my meals out of those products. Then, I ask everyone in the family if there is anything in particular that they would like to eat this week, and try to take those suggestions into consideration.

Q: Where do you find recipes?
A: Well, I don't really use "recipes", but I use ideas from them, more as a guideline I guess. I love searching other blog's, my old site, Gourmet Momma, the girls over at cook it, blog it (another cooking site I run...I think I am seeing a pattern here) I also use cook books, books from my culinary school, and sometimes, I just make stuff up! GET CREATIVE!!!

Q: do you use coupons to determine your meals?
A: yes and no. If I have a coupon that is for something we will eat, I will save it, if its for something I know we wont like or that is really bad for you, even if it makes it free, I don't use it. So I write down my coupons along with the sales flyer info so I know what to use.

Q: where do you keep your menu plan?
A: Well, on that little pad up there at the top, its on my fridge!

TIPS WORTH NOTING:
--make sure you plan our side dishes with all your meals
--have plenty of fruit and healthy snacks on hand so people dont eat things that are supposed to be cooked into dinner!
--look through your fridge, freezer, cabinets, pantry, etc. BEFORE you shop, so you know that you have three bottles of dressing already and you dont need anymore for that salad you want on Tuesday.
--HAVE FUN...this is menu planning, not brain surgery! If you try something new and your family doesn't like it, keep some pasta and sauce in the pantry at all times to whip up a simple meal you know they will all love! :)

I hope this helps! If you have any menu planning strategies, let me know in the comments section below! :)

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

  {Banana Nut Waffles}

So, I LOVE me a good waffle, but add in some mashed up banana's and some walnuts, and I am in waffle heaven!

Check out my latest creation:




Banana Nut Waffles-
What you will need:
4 eggs
1C. milk
1T. baking powder
1/2t. salt
1 1/2C. All Purpose Flower
1/2C. wheat flour (you can use all wheat or all AP to taste)
1/2C. (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
1T. sugar (I used all natural!)
1T. vanilla
2 over ripe banana's, mashed
1C. walnuts, chopped

In a bowl, beat your eggs until fluffy, then add in butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk.

Sift in dry ingredients, and mix just till combined (there will be some lumps, this is ok!)

Fold in mashed banana and nuts
(I left this step for last, because if you have picky eaters, the waffle recipe is perfect by its self, so you can make your kid's waffles first, then add in the banana and nuts for you!)

Cook on your waffle iron until done! :) ENJOY....

I know Lagan did!!

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